Smithsonian explores food, wine in new gallery

Smithsonian explores food, wine in new gallery

WASHINGTON — Julia Child’s kitchen is returning to public view as the National Museum of American History opens its first major exhibit about food.

Child donated her kitchen to the museum in 2001. Now it serves as the opening story for the gallery opening Tuesday, showing her influence on culinary arts, food television and the way Americans view cooking. Curator Paula Johnson says the second half of the 20th century brought rapid changes in America’s relationship with food. One section of the exhibit explores the influence of immigrants from Asia, Africa, the Middle East and Latin America who introduced flavors that are now part of everyday life.

The museum also looks at the science of food production and the rise of winemaking. By 2000, wine was being produced in all 50 states.